Thoughts on the points of incongruence between Roman Catholicism's doctrine and Christianity.
Brief introduction: Personally, it is always a joy for me as a Christian to even find Believers in God, in this day and age of immorality and rejection of faith, even if one's belief is not exactly like mine. Therefore, what truly saddens me, is when people will argue not only between different gods and religions, as normal, but also between the same God, the one and only Father of Jesus Christ.
Above all, what really matters to me, should be Truth and Glorification of God. Hence whatever I write here is simply my way to fulfill this statement, and not to stir up any people or create arguments. Sure, anything is debatable, I'm well open to it, but in peace, because one thing we can all agree on is that controversy can't be what God wants for any of us. The only assurance I can really find is in Scripture, in matters of faith, it is not my own knowledge that speaks, but God's through His Word. If I could answer everything with human logic, then why would there be a God and a Bible? Yes, this is a form of 'disclaimer' through reverence and submission to His authority. So I will stick to Scripture passages that have been pointed out to me by various Pastors, things I read on tracts, and my personal research. I selected some verses that seem to be fairly clear about the Truth, and the truthful roles of God, Jesus, Mary and the Pope, and therefore they question certain Catholic beliefs and rituals in my opinion. In particular, I'll very briefly analyse passages that seem to Invalidate the Veneration of Mary and the Pope.
Once again, I care to say again that I take hardly any part of this writing, meaning: this isn't a philosophical essay or anything I usually write on my Blog, this is me literally sharing the Word of God, not my own generated thoughts, but simply considerations on what I believe to be the Truth.
About the Veneration of Mary, and the Pope:
- God says there is Not a single person that is Just/Righteous, not one. Not even Mary. She is a Sinner as well. Mary herself glorifies God as her Saviour in the Bible. If she were not a sinner, she wouldn't need a Saviour.
- Also, as described in Leviticus, Old testament, she had to endure normal rituals of 'purification', like any other woman, after Jesus was born from her, as a sacrifice for her Sin.
- Jesus Christ did not Adore/Venerate his own Mother Mary. Why should we? In Luke 11:27-28, Jesus Himself admonishes a woman in the crowd who shouted 'Holy and Blessed be the womb of Mary', but Jesus tells her, "No, blessed be those that hear the word of God".
- This goes for Mary, and for the Pope, both considered as holy mediators, interceders for man kind, to reach God. This idea seems to go against Scripture, in fact: 1st Timothy 2:5 says: "For there is One God, and One Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus". This verse seems to be very clear and hard to contest.
- Also, In John 14:6 , Jesus says: "I am The Way, The Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father (God), if not through Me". Also very clear about the uniqueness and singularity of Jesus' role as the one and only mediator and interceder.
Idolatry:
Veneration of statues of Mary or other Saints, is basically idolatry. Exodus 20:3 says: "You shall have no other gods before me".
The claim that Peter was the first Pope: (my personal and arguable take on this).
Matthew 16:18 says: "You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church". The name "Peter" literally means stone/rock originally in its etymology, but it's talking about the solid foundation of faith in Jesus Christ that Peter has, like a rock. This passage doesn't negate what has been written earlier about the non existence of other mediators beyond Christ, such as Peter being the "First Pope".
Thankyou anyone for reading, God bless you.
